Earlier this offseason, the Wild made headlines when it was reported that they were willing to offer $16MM per season to pending unrestricted free agent winger Kirill Kaprizov. Meanwhile, the winger himself made headlines when that offer (with an eight-year term) was rejected. Understandably, there has been plenty of speculation about what Kaprizov’s future with the Wild might be.
However, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported in a TSN Early Trading segment that while teams are calling Minnesota GM Bill Guerin to try to assess if the 28-year-old might be available, they are being told that offers are not being entertained at this time. To that end, Michael Russo of The Athletic reported today on the DFO Rundown (video link) that as of yet, Kaprizov’s camp hasn’t been approached for a list of teams he would accept a trade to; he has a full no-move clause and can veto any deal.
Despite the setback of having that record-breaking offer declined, the Wild are still operating with the internal belief that Kaprizov wants to remain in Minnesota. It might be a case of his agent Paul Theofanous hoping to get a bit more money on the AAV, the year-to-year structure (salary and signing bonus money), or potentially a preference to take a shorter-term contract as some players are starting to want to do. However, LeBrun also characterized the discussions between the two sides as “not cordial” so at first glance, an agreement shouldn’t be expected in the near future.
When healthy, Kaprizov is among the NHL’s elite talents and has 386 points in 319 career regular season games after coming to North America for his age-23 year. He looked to be well on his way to setting new personal benchmarks last season but injuries ultimately limited him to just 41 games where he still managed 25 goals and 31 assists to finish third on the team in scoring. Meanwhile, despite the injuries, Kaprizov was quite productive in the playoffs, notching five goals and four assists in their first-round loss to Vegas.
Considering the Wild have already gone higher than what some teams might be inclined to offer Kaprizov if he made it to free agency next summer, it will be interesting to see what their next move may wind up being. Just don’t expect that move to be the initiation of trade discussions, an option that it appears they’re not ready to think about considering just yet.
They cannot lose him for nothing. I read he wants to go the Rangers. Lafreniere and picks could do it.
Laff + Cuyle and 2026 1st for KK
Cuylle is not going anywhere. He will be the Captain in a few years when JT is gone.
It was either him or Trocheck, but wingers are easier to replace so Cuyle.
Laff + Perrault would be OK, but NYR needed to be rid of more salary, so Cuyle is the sacrifice.
Laff + Cuyle + the 1st is the best for both teams.
The Rangers would have to rid themselves more than just that to fit in his dollars under the cap. However, not sure the Rangers would be motivated to make such a deal considering Panarin is off the books in a year which opens up the door.
It is enough for this year, they will figure out next year before July 1. Their Gm is good at getting rid of players.
So the Wild are still telling themselves that Kaprizov wants to stay in Minnesota? When the writing is on the wall, In clear letters, That is a fantastic business strategy.
Then there is this:
From http://Bookies.com 😀
Kirill Kaprizov Next Team Odds
Carolina Hurricanes | +400 (20%) 😏
Detroit Red Wings | +450 (18.2%) 🤔
Chicago Blackhawks | +450 (18.2%) 🤭
Minnesota Wild | +550 (15.4%) 😂
New York Rangers | +750 (11.8%) 💩
Philadelphia Flyers | +1000 (9.1%) 🙄
Boston Bruins | +1200 (7.7%) 😣
Pittsburgh Penguins | +1200 (7.7%) 🤮
The Field | +950 (9.5%)
Simple posturing by Guerin. He wants to get an offer that blows him away. They cannot lose him for nothing. It will set that franchise back a decade.
If NYR are to include Laf in any deal, they’d have to offer a sweetener. If he’s part of a Kaprizov deal one would think an added 2026 2nd and 3rd would be minimum plus a 1st or two with Cuyulle
I thought that Guerin and/or the agent denied that offer was made or declined? Sporstnet reported that at least Guerin denied it.
Kaprizov for Michkov + salary dumps should work for Minny. It should also work for Briere who needs at least to get Philly into the playoffs to save his job.
But if I were Kaprizov, I would never go to Philly.
Kap takes a lot more than Michkov and dumps. Try Michkov, 1 or 2 firsts, a top prospect, then dumps.
Not if he’s going to be a free agent and turned down a record contract offer. If they could get Michkov that would be success.
Minnie doesn’t have much leverage, if any at all. They should be grabbing anything they are offered, otherwise they’ll get nothing at all. And hope that he won’t use his NMC.
That’s why Philly should be able to unload some bad money.
I can’t see Philly offering anything more than Michkov. In fact, they have to be really desperate to offer Michkov in the first place.
The bottom line is – if he just uses the NMC, they get nothing.
Calgary was in much the same spot with Matthew Tkachuk a few years back. He let them know he would not resign with them with 1 year left on his contract. They traded him (plus a 4th) to Florida for Huberdeau (who has declined in value since, but was upper echelon at that time and still a top 6 winger), MacKenzie Weegar, a top prospect, and a 1st.
A return of Michkov + dumps doesn’t do it. With a year left on his contract expect a similar return to what Tkachuk drew. Tkachuk let the Flames know who he would resign/extend with to simplify the situation. I’d expect the same from Kap.
Did Tkachuk have a NMC?
No, he wasn’t UFA-eligible yet so he wasn’t eligible for trade protection either
He had trade protection in that he wouldn’t resign unless it was to one of 2 or 3 teams. Much like Kiril likely won’t.
What exactly was that trade protection? Do you know the details?
He told Calgary management he wouldn’t be resigning there and told them he would be willing to resign with Florida or St Louis.
Kiril could do the samething, and Minnie could land a return similar to what Calgary got for Tkachuk. The situation isn’t that much different.
In this case it is different. Calgary could trade Tkachuk to any team. That team would be getting one full year of Tkachuk at $7M. Whether he would resign with them after that would be up in the air. A lot of things change in a year of hockey. He could end up liking his new teammates and change his mind, especially if the team won something that year. But even one year at $7M was valuable any cup contender.
There was competition for him. Where there is competition, prices always go up.
Calgary did have leverage because they were to decide what offer to take and could play them against each other.
Minnie has no leverage. Just to start something, they have to go to Kaprizov’s agent and politely inquire under what conditions his client would consider waiving his NMC. And if the answer is “none”, they get nothing.
In which case your proposed trade to Phili for Michkov and dumps becomes moot.
No team would give up a haul unless they know they’re getting him extended and he’s not waiving his NMC to play out the season on a team he isn’t interested in resigning with.
That’s right. As I said in my initial post:
But if I were Kaprizov, I would never go to Philly.
Unfortunately for Minnesota, when a guy has a full NMC, is in his walk year, and just rejected a massive offer, you don’t have a lot of leverage. Actually, you don’t have any leverage. If he really does want out of Minnesota he will call all of the shots regarding where he goes and Guerin will have to make do with .70 cents on the dollar.